State representatives today passed a scaled-back bill that would allow religious-based employers to deny contraception coverage to their workers.

The amended bill, HB2625, passed the Arizona House by a vote of 36-21, and will need to go back to the Senate for final approval there. If approved there, it will be delivered to Gov. Jan Brewer for either a signature or a veto.

Abortion providers in Arizona would be barred from receiving federal government funding through the state for family planning services under a bill that received preliminary approval from the state House on Friday.

An Arizona legislator wants to shield doctors from so-called "wrongful birth" lawsuits, which can arise if physicians don't inform pregnant women of prenatal problems that could lead to the decision to have an abortion.